A cosplayer recreates the song "Surface Pressure," written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and sung by Jessica Darrow, from Disney's Encanto. Miranda, previously known for his Tony-winning Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights, wrote the songs for the film and received an Oscar nomination for "Dos Oruguitas," which, if he wins, will make him one of the youngest people to receive the EGOT status, having already won a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy for his work. Other notable tracks from the film include "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "The Family Madrigal."
Encanto tells the story of the Madrigals, a family who receives magical gifts that manifest in different ways, allowing them to help their community except for protagonist Mirabel. The song "Surface Pressure," one of several songs to be a breakout hit on TikTok from Encanto, is sung by her older sister Luisa, who sings about her power of super strength, as it puts pressure on her as the older sister to be strong for the family both physically and emotionally. Musically, the song bears a resemblance to Miranda's "One Perfect Moment" from Bring It On: The Musical, which shares a similar tune and lyrical content.
The video shows the artist, Maribel Martinez, cosplaying Luisa while the track from the film plays, while the artist lip-syncs the lyrics. Martinez has made several videos cosplaying as Luisa, using the lyrics of the song to express her artistry. Martinez is one of several artists who have used TikTok to express themselves through the lyrics and scenes from Encanto. Watch the video below:
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Encanto, now available on Disney+ and in select theaters, has received acclaim from critics and audiences, amassing a large following thanks to its heartwarming story, musical numbers, and animation. The film has also garnered praise for its depiction of more complex issues, such as intergenerational trauma, mental health, and family dynamics. Videos on TikTok with the "#encanto" label have seen over 11.5 billion views on the platform.
"Surface Pressure" has gotten a lot of attention, with many pointing out the song's dissection of the pressure that's put on older siblings in families. It also stands as an anthem for overachievers, a theme common in Miranda's work, for those who feel they must take on more responsibilities both physically and mentally to support the ones they love. It's nothing new to say that Encanto is a work of unique brilliance, and "Surface Pressure" is a bright spot in a film made of bright spots, and hopefully the film overall will see continuation somewhere in the Disney canon.
Source: Maribel Martinez